Unraveling the Evolutionary Journey of Crocodile-Line Archosaurs
A new study on the evolutionary history of pseudosuchians, a group of crocodile-line archosaurs, reveals that their diversification dynamics were shaped by a combination of abiotic and biotic factors over 250 million years. The research shows that speciation, but not extinction, is correlated with higher temperatures in terrestrial and marine lineages, while high sea levels are associated with increased extinction in non-marine taxa. The study also highlights the importance of ecological partitioning and competition in driving both speciation and extinction. Understanding these drivers can provide insights into the long-term impact of climate change on biodiversity and extinction risks.